Health and Community Services
August 23, 2010
Funding Announced for Upgrades to Long-Term
Care Facility in Botwood
The Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre, a 79-bed
long-term care facility in Botwood, will receive $276,000 in Budget 2010
for new capital equipment and facility upgrades. The Honourable Jerome
Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the
announcement today in Botwood and was joined by Clayton Forsey, MHA for
Exploits; Karen McGrath, CEO, Central Health; and, Jerry Dean, Mayor of
Botwood.
"Our government is currently holding
province-wide long-term care and community support public
consultations," said Minister Kennedy. "One of the messages we have
heard is that residents want access to health care services in, or as
close to their own community, as possible. Our investment today
demonstrates our continued commitment to make strategic investments in
health and long-term care services throughout the province to meet the
needs of residents."
The funding announced today includes $37,000
for laboratory analyzers; $34,000 for replacement of kitchen appliances;
$21,000 for new drug carts; and, $4,000 for computed radiography
cassettes. In addition, this facility will also receive $180,000 for hot
water tanks and lighting system upgrades.
"This investment assures once again that this
government is committed to delivering quality health care to the people
in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Clayton Forsey, MHA for
Exploits. "The Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre is integral to health care
service for the Exploits area providing long-term care, emergency, lab
and x-ray services and also offers high-quality residential care to our
veterans and their spouses."
Today's funding announcement brings the total
Provincial Government investment in this long-term care facility to
approximately $1.9 million since 2003, and includes the replacement of
beds, tubs, scales and lifts; new patient care and support equipment;
and, renovations such as repairs to the domestic water system, window
replacement, lighting system and exterior upgrades.
"These strategic investments by government for
the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Centre will help enhance health care services
for clients using this facility and will help Central Health continue to
focus on services to seniors and adults as this percentage of the
population grows," said Karen McGrath, CEO of Central Health.
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For
Our Children and Our Future
includes a significant investment in
long-term care such as $27.3 million for the continued development of
two new long-term care facilities in St. John's; $8 million to begin
construction of a new long-term care facility in Lewisporte; $4 million
to start construction of a 250-bed long-term care home in Carbonear; $3
million to complete the new Corner Brook long-term care facility; $2.1
million to finalize the long-term care home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
and, approximately $1.7 million for a new protective care community
residence in Bonavista, with specialized care and accommodations for
individuals with mild to moderate dementia. Budget 2010 also includes a
significant investment of $208.9 million for health care infrastructure
throughout the province, including $177.3 million for new facilities and
equipment and $31.6 million for repairs and renovations.
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Media contacts:
2010 08 23
3:35 p.m.
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